European Escapades

European Escapades

Visiting Lake Como For A Wedding? 7 Affordable Things To Do While You’re There

Lake Como has become one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in Europe, and if you've been invited to celebrate by the water, congratulations – you're in for a spectacular weekend....
Travel Team

48 Hours In Šibenik: Croatia Before The Crowds

Forget Dubrovnik's cruise-ship crowds and Split's stag-do swarms. Šibenik – pronounced shee-ben-ik – is Croatia's most compelling...

Beyond The Beach Clubs: 11 Of The Best Things...

Forget everything you've heard about Mykonos shutting down for winter. While the beach clubs pack away their...

What To Do In Cortina d’Ampezzo During The 2026...

The 'Queen of the Dolomites' is preparing to reclaim its Olympic glory. Cortina d'Ampezzo will co-host the...

Europe’s Best Walking Holidays: 10 Amazing Rambles In Europe

Ideal for a glorious, continental ramble... We’ve all heard the Ralph Waldo Emerson line about it not being...

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European Escapades

The Ideal North-To-South Train Journey Through France: From Lille To The Mediterranean

The idea of crossing an entire country by train holds a particular romance, but in France, it's also remarkably practical. The country's TGV network...

Beyond Venice & Tuscany: 7 Of Italy’s More Distinctive Wedding Regions

Italy's most extraordinary wedding venues exist in regions where mass tourism hasn't yet transformed the landscape. The recent controversy surrounding Jeff Bezos's lavish Venice...

5 Of The Best Holiday Destinations On The Costa Brava For Families

Planning a family holiday that satisfies everyone from toddlers to teenagers feels like an impossible puzzle. But Spain's Costa Brava offers a refreshing solution:...
The Top Activities For A Stag Or Hen Weekend In Bratislava

The Top Activities For A Stag Or Hen Weekend In Bratislava

Forget Prague and Budapest. Slovakia's charming capital is fast becoming the go-to destination for memorable stag and hen weekends. With its compact old town,...

Editor's Picks

Why Madeira Is 2025’s IDEAL Honeymoon Destination: Where Romance Blooms In The Atlantic Garden

As couples search for a honeymoon destination that breaks the mold of predictable Caribbean beaches - before settling into a lifetime of predictable Sunday...

48 Hours In Reykjavik: The Ideal Weekend In Iceland’s Cool Capital

Iceland's capital might be compact, but what Reykjavik lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character. This pint-sized city perched on...

Italy’s Best-Kept Property Secrets: Where Savvy Brits Are Buying In Bel Paese In 2025

While the British love affair with Italian property typically begins and ends with a restored farmhouse in Tuscany or a pied-à-terre in Rome, savvy...
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Royal Retreats: 3 Exclusive Marbella Villas Fit For Royalty

Marbella has long held a special place in the hearts of royalty and the world's most rich figures. What began as a humble fishing...

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Tenerife On A Budget: 6 Free Activities To Do Outside & In Nature

The crown jewel of the Canary Islands, Tenerife proves that the best experiences are free. With over seven million tourists visiting annually, you might...

Exploring Ibiza’s Hidden Gems: 10 Places To Find Some Solitude On The White Isle

Ideal for finding solace and serenity on the world's premier party island... Ibiza, the pulsating heart of Europe's party scene, is renowned for its sun-kissed...

Beyond The Slopes: The Best Things To Do In Alpe d’Huez That Don’t Involve Skiing

Nestled in the cold but comforting embrace of a snow-blanketed French Alps, Alpe d’Huez is renowned for its sprawling ski terrain and vibrant après-ski culture. However,...

Exploring Southern Poland: 5 Essential Day Trips From Krakow

Let’s be honest here; the medieval charm and cultural treasures of Krakow could easily fill a week, but venture beyond the city's cobblestone streets...

The Best Vineyard Restaurants In Bordeaux: Where Grape Meets Plate

Welcome to Bordeaux, France's undisputed wine capital and arguably the world's most coveted destination for serious oenophiles. This UNESCO World Heritage region produces more...

Hiking The Via Algarviana: What Are The Most Attractive Trails Along The Route?

In March of this year, the Daily Telegraph published an article declaring Portugal as 'Europe's greatest holiday destination'. This echoed a similar sentiment in...

9 Ideas For The Ideal Luxury Trip To Iceland

A luxury trip to Iceland? Well, they do servewhole lobsters for just £5 from time to time… Joking aside, it feels like you might be...

Cruising Down The Danube This Autumn: The Ideal Guide

Winding its way through the heart of Central Europe, the Danube River uniquely flows through or along the borders of ten countries (more than...

Uniquely Tuscan: The Cultural Signatures That Define The Region

Stand in a Florentine piazza at dusk, and you might notice something subtle yet profound: the cadence of conversation, the particular way a vendor...

Where To Stay, Dine & Play In Puerto Banús: The Ideal Guide

One of the most glittering jewels along Spain's Costa del Sol, Puerto Banús has long captivated visitors with its intoxicating blend of Mediterranean glamour,...

9 Of The Best Places To Stop On Iceland’s Route 1 Ring Road

Mention the words ‘ring road’ to a Brit, and the image of a very specific type of soul-destroying suburban drudgery will likely come to...

Staying In Lisbon’s Príncipe Real: What To Eat, Drink, See & Do

With its elegant 19th-century mansions and leafy squares, Príncipe Real offers a more sophisticated alternative to Lisbon's tourist-heavy Bairro Alto. Named after Queen Maria...
Brea

9 Things To Do In Milan’s Brera District: The IDEAL Guide 

The enchanting Brera district, sitting pretty in the heart of Milan, is an absolute must-visit for any traveller to Italy's fashion capital. Taking its...

Faroe Islands First Timers: 15 Things To Know

Imagine a place where time seems to slow down, where nature dominates in all its raw, untamed beauty. Sitting halfway between Scotland and Iceland...
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Exploring Normandy By Campervan: The Ideal Guide

The gentle curve of coastal roads, medieval abbeys cloaked in morning mist, and markets brimming with local cheeses - Normandy reveals itself most intimately...

7 Tips For Your Greek Island Hopping Holiday

Ideal for a happy, hopping trip to Hellas... Thousands of islands, 227 inhabited, a history so rich and complex it’s impossible to overstate or fully...

Need To Know Food & Drink Rules For Your Next Italian Holiday: The IDEAL Guide

To state the obvious, Italians take their food and drink seriously. There’s a saying in Italy: “Non si mangia per vivere ma si vive...

48 Hours In Cagliari: A Weekend Guide To Sardinia’s Capital

Sardinia's capital sprawls across seven limestone hills, each telling its own tale of conquest and culture. Cagliari, often dismissed as merely a gateway to...
Heraklion

48 Hours In The Crete Capital, Heraklion

Too often dismissed as merely the entry point to Crete's beach resorts and ancient treasures, Heraklion rewards those who linger. The island's capital wears...

8 Of The Best Destinations In France For Food & Wine Lovers

Ideal for a Gallic gastronomic getaway... Anyone else find themselves watching reruns of Rick Stein’s Secret France and feeling really bloody hungry? We at IDEAL stand...

Tenerife On A Budget: 6 Free Activities To Do...

The crown jewel of the Canary Islands, Tenerife proves that the best experiences are free. With over...

Exploring Ibiza’s Hidden Gems: 10 Places To Find Some...

Ideal for finding solace and serenity on the world's premier party island... Ibiza, the pulsating heart of Europe's...

Beyond The Slopes: The Best Things To Do In...

Nestled in the cold but comforting embrace of a snow-blanketed French Alps, Alpe d’Huez is renowned for its sprawling...

Exploring Southern Poland: 5 Essential Day Trips From Krakow

Let’s be honest here; the medieval charm and cultural treasures of Krakow could easily fill a week,...